Awning window structure



Oct. 9, 1956 E. A. WESTMAN AWNING wmnow STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1952 INVENTOR. 54/2/25? ,4. WfJTMfl/V 6 Paw/44v OCt. 9, E A, WESTMAN AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5} 1952 6442571 Pmw Oct. 9, 1956 E. A. WESTMAN AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 5, 1952 INVENTOR. 42/146? A. waif/MAN BY awzh MZA Patented Oct. 9, 1956 AWNING WINDOW STRUCTURE Elmer A. Westman, Fenton,

Machine Tool Company, of Michigan Mich, assignor to Industrial Fenton, Mich, a corporation This invention relates to improvements in windows and particularly to improvements in awning type windows having one or more swinging sash sections.

In awning type window assemblies it is common practice to provide a plurality of vertically superimposed sash sections and pivotally support these sections for swinging movement within the window frame. This is accomplished by means of slide or lift bars mounted within the window frame and operatively connected to the sash sections for swinging the sections either inwardly or out wardly of the plane of the window frame. In such constructions, the window frame has been made of channel shaped members and arranged so that the channel opens or faces outwardly of the room in the building wall in which the frame is installed. Heretofore, considerable difiiculty has been encountered in locating and mounting the various operating members such as the slide bar and toggle links so that they will not interfere with one another and deprive the desired movement of the sash sections. In the past, this required separate supporting brackets and guiding elements for the operating members and the offsetting of one or more of the operating members out of its plane in order to escape interference with other members of the assembly.

important object of the present invention is to provide a light weight multi-sash window assembly of the awning type having operating mechanism which is designed and arranged in an improved manner to provide a more direct operating connection for swinging the sash sections and to reduce the number of parts heretofore employed in such assemblies. Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved window structure of the awning type which simplifies the fabrication of the parts and their assembly in the structure and thereby reduces the cost of manufacture. A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting arrangement for a window screen which provides an inconspicuous support for the screen and facilitates snug installation and removal of the screen in the window frame.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a window structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the plane of the window and broken away to illustrate the operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the window assembly taken on the section line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the sash in closed position and broken away to disclose the operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section partly broken away through the window assembly taken on a plane similar to that of Fig. 3 but showing the sash sections swung open instead of closed as in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism and mounting thereof for one side of the lower sash section and showing the sash section in open condition; and,

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view through one of the side frame members of the window assembly and showing the improved manner of mounting a window screen therein.

The window assembly comprises a stationary window frame which is adapted to be fixed within the wall of a building. The frame and sash sections of the window assembly are shown as fabricated out of sheet metal. The window frame comprises a pair of similarly shaped side frame members 107-10 which are channel-shaped in cross section as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. These side frame members are connected together at the top by a header 12 which is also channel-shaped in cross section and at the bottom by a sill member 14 likewise channelshaped in cross section. The channels of the frame members open out on the same side of the plane of the window frame and outwardly of the building wall in which the frame is installed. A protective removable Weatherstrip member 16 is provided in order to overhang the front or outer side of the wind-ow frame. It is shaped to seat over an upstanding flange formed on the header l2 and to project outwardly and downwardly therefrom as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6.

Disposed within the frame are a plurality of sash sections, each of which is pivotally mounted for swinging movement outwardly of the plane of the window frame. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention two such sash sections are provided. It is understood that additional sash sections may be incorporated in the window assembly and that the improvements described herein are not limited to two sashes. The upper sash section is referred to by the letter U and the lower sash section is referred to by the letter L. The two sash sections are similar to one another and similarly supported for pivotal movement in the window frame. Each section is shown as comprising a metal sash frame 18 provided with a pane of glass or the like. The sash frame is designed so as to overlie the open channel of the window frame when the sash is moved to closed position as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 7.

Each sash section is pivotally supported by a pair of fulcrum links indicated generally at 22 in Figs. 2, 5 and 8. These links are pivotally connected at one of their ends to the opposite sides of the sash section. A projeoting pivot pin or s-tud 24 serves as the pivotal connection for this purpose. The opposite ends of the links are pivoted to horizontally opposed points of the side frame members Elli-4.0 through the employment of stationary brackets 26. The brackets 26 are fixed to the side frame members and are designed and shaped to provide a pivotal mounting for the links and a guide for the slide bars in a manner hereinafter described. Each fulcrum link :22 is adjustable lengthwise and consists of cooperating end portions .28 and 30 as best shown in Fig. '8. One of the link pomtions, such as 30, of each link assembly is provided with a channel-shaped extremity 32 which overlaps the adjacent end of the companion link portion 28. In this manner the adjacent end of the link portion 28 is slidably received Within the channel formation of the companion link portion for linear adjustment. Two or more screws 3'4 and 36 serve to couple the overlapping ends of the link portions together. The openings through which these screws extend are wider section taken along line 7--7 of than the shank portions of the screw and at least one of them is elongated longitudinally of the link portion in which it is formed so as to provide extensible and retractable adjustment of the link portions with respect to one another. It is thus possible as a result of this adjust-able connection to extend or contract the fulcrum links so that the sash section with which they are associated may completely close all around against the window frame. It is thus possible to assure that the opposite sides of each swinging sash section will be closed tightly against the window frame. This adjustable feature is described and claimed in my co-pending application for United States patent, Serial No. 137,773, tiled January 10, 1950, which became Patent No. 2,644,557 on July 7, '1953.

The sash sections, herein referred to as U and L, are adapted to be swung outwardly at the bottom and moved vertically downwardly at the top to adjustable open positions through the use of an operating mechanism which comprises a pair of vertically movable slide bars 38-38 located on opposite sides of the window frame and within the channel side frame members 10-10. These slide bars are mounted and guided for up and down movement in a manner described more particularly hereinafter. Each sash section is pivoted to each of the slide bars and for this purpose is provided with a pair of arms 40-40, one end of each of which is secured to the side of the sash section at its top and has its opposite end pivotally secured as at 42 to the adjacent slide bar. It is apparent therefore that up and down movement of the slide bars 38-38 will act through the arms 40-40 to cause the sash sections to swing about the fulcrum links 22-22. to open or closed position. Figs. 3 and 5 illustrate the sash sections in closed and opened positions respectively and it is to be noted that in Fig. 3 the slide bars 38-38 are in raised position with their upper ends closely adjacent to the header 12 and that in Fig. 5 the slide bars have moved downwardly from this position to effect the opening of the sashes.

Each of the sashes is provided with generally Z-shaped stile members at the opposite sides and each stile member includes a web 41 extending normal to the plane of the sash. Such stile members, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9, abut the side wall 68 of the generally U-sh-aped side frame members 10 when the sashes are closed. The web 41 of each stile member is substantially aligned with the slide bar 88 in the corresponding side frame member. The arms 40-40 are secured to the web 41. As shown in Fig. 8, the arms 40-40 are generally planar. As pointed out hereinafter, the use of a generally planar arm 40-40 in combination with the location of the slide bar 38 within the U-shaped channel side frame members 10, gives rise to a substantially vertical line of lift between the slide bars and the sashes resulting in more facile operation of the sashes.

The pivotal connection of the fulcrum links 22-22 to their respective sashes may be through the arms 40-40 in the manner best shown in Fig. 8. Each arm '40 may be provided with a series of holes and one of these holes may be selected to receive the pivot stud 24 for the associated fulcrum link.

Actuat-ing means for the slide bars 38-38 comprises a manual operating mechanism in the form of a hand crank 44 mounted upon the outer end of a worm shaft 46 which extends in-to a housing 48 and is supported thereby for rotation. The housing 48 is secured to the base side of one of the side frame members 10 as shown in Figs. '1, 3 and 5. An arm 50, pivoted at 52 within the housing 48, is provided with a segmental gear section 54 which meshes with the worm gear 56 on the shaft 46. The outer end of the arm is coupled by a link 58 with a toggle mechanism employed for moving the slide bars upwardly and downwardly.

' A toggle joint mechanism is associated with each side frame member "10 and comprises a lower member 60 and an upper member 62 pivotally coupled together at 64. The lower link is mounted upon a cross shaft 66 which extends transversely of the bottom of the window frame and through the sill member 14 thereof. The opposite member 62 of the toggle joint mechanism is pivotally connected at its opposite upper end with the slide bar 38 with which it is associated. It is preferably coupled to the slide bar on the same pivot 42 which serves as a journal mounting for the arm for the lower sash L as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8. The link 58 associated with the arm is pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the lower member of the toggle joint mechanism.

It is thus apparent that through the operation of the worm gear shaft 46 by the crank 44 the gear arm 50 will actuate the toggle members 60 and 62 and cause the slide bars to move either upwardly or downwardly depending upon the direction of rotation of the crank. The toggle joint mechanisms are mounted at each end of the cross shaft 66 and the lower members of the toggle joint mechanism are fixed to the shaft for joint rotation therewith. It is thus seen that the slide bars 38-38 are moved in unison and swinging movement is imparted to both sides of the window sash sections. As the slide bars are moved downwardly, the upper ends of the sash sections are pulled downwardly and the lower ends are caused to be swung outwardly by the fulcrum links 22-22. Reversible rotation of the crank will cause the slide bars to move upwardly and produce a closing movement to the sash sections.

The channel formation of the side members 10-10 of the window frame each present an inner wall 68 and an outer wall 70 extending in opposed parallel relation to one another and opening out on one side of the window frame. The side walls are connected by a wall 72 constituting the bottom of each channel. As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the actuating bar 38 in each side member 10 is located immediately adjacent to the inner wall 68 of the channel and preferably in slidable contact therewith. For example, the line of lift for the actuating bars 38 is directly vertical instead of being slightly offset as has been necessary when the bars were movable along the outer walls of the channels of the frame. The fulcrum arms 22, however, are pivoted on the brackets 26 immediately adjacent to the opposite or outer wall 70 of the channel as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. An inwardly projecting pivot stud 74 is carried on that portion of each bracket overlying the outer channel wall 70 for this purpose. Several advantages result from this arrangement.

Each actuating bar 38 is assisted in its slidable movement by the provision of certain guide elements. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the inner channel wall 68 is provided with an inwardly projecting longitudinal ridge 76 spaced from the bottom wall 72 approximately the thickness of the bar and cooperating with the bottom wall to form a shallow inwardly opening subsidiary channel in which the actuating bar reciprocates. In addition, the brackets 26 provided in each channel are shaped to provide guiding faces for holding the actuating bars in their respective subsidiary channels. An important feature of the invention is the construction and arrangement of the brackets such that in addition to serving as the pivotal mountings for the fulcrum arms 22 they also assist in guiding the actuating bars in their movement as well as to hold them in place against the inner channel walls 68. For this purpose, each bracket is made L shaped so as to present two right angularly disposed portions 80 and 82.

The portion 80 of each bracket overlies the outer wall 70 of the channel in which it is installed. The other portion 82 of each bracket overlies the bottom wall 72 of the channel. The extremity of the latter is dimensionally proportioned and inturned to present a flange 84 immediately adjacent to the actuating bar 38 as shown in Fig, 4 to act as a guiding face and retainer for holding the bar within the subsidiary channel. It is thus apparent that the brackets not only serve to hold the lift bars within their respective subsidiary channels but also serve as pivotal mountings for the fulcrum arms 22. The dual function of the brackets eliminates the need for separate guiding elements heretofore employed for retaining the actuating bars in proper position. The location of the actuating bars on the inner walls of the channels provides a more direct connection for operating the sashes and as a result the bars may be formed of material of lighter weight and of less thickness. The two uses served by the brackets save in production and assembly of separate elements for each separate function.

Another important feature of the invention is construction and arrangement of the window assembly for mounting a screen or storm sash and locking the same in place. As shown in Fig. 9, the inner wall 68 of the channel of each side member is provided with a longitudinal groove or slot 86 preferably running the full length of the member. The two slots on opposite sides of the window frame face one another and are located in the same plane. They cooperate to demountably support a screen or storm sash across the room side of the Window opening. A screen is illustrated in Fig. 9 as mounted in the slots and includes the screen mesh 88 and the screen frame 90. The latter is formed of hollow metal sections of generally rectangular cross section as shown, the construction of the screen assembly not being disclosed in detail since it forms no part of the present invention. The margins of the screen 88 are received in grooves formed by the walls of the frame sections and securely held therein.

The screen assembly, and this is true of a storm sash used in lieu of the screen, carries a plurality of clips which are shaped to enter the slots 86 and hold the screen assembly in place. These clips are in the form of L- shaped members 92 and are preferably pivotally mounted on the inner faces of the screen frame sections as shown at 94 for swinging movement into and out of the slots. The clips may be otherwise adjustably mounted for entering the slots. The short leg of each clip, indicated at 96, projects laterally from the screen sash and serves as a handle for moving the clip. When the screen assembly is installed, the clips are rotated to positions retracted back from the side edges of the screen frame and then after the screen is in place the clips are rotated to enter the slots and releasably lock the screens in proper position.

What I claim is:

l. A Window assembly comprising, in combination: a window frame, a plurality of sashes arranged in superimposed relationship in the window frame and each having generally Z-shaped stile members with the web of each of such Z-shaped stile members extending transversely of the plane of the sash, said Window frame having vertically extending side frame members each being shaped to define a U-channel characterized by having opposed inner and outer parallel side walls extending normal to the plane of the Window frame and such that the channel formation of each side member opens out on one side of the window frame, slide bars for the sashes one located in the channel of each side frame member and slidably abutting said inner side wall thereof, means guiding said slide bars for longitudinal slidable movement along the inner side Wall of each channel of said side frame members and including a bracket overlying the bottom wall of each of the channel-shaped side frame members and cooperating with the inner side Wall thereof to guide the slide bars, the web portion of each of said generally Z-shaped stile members disposed in substantial alignment with the slide bars in the side frame members, means hinging the sashes to a side wall of the side frame members, and substantially planar arms connected at one end to opposite sides of each sash at said transversely extending Web portion of each of the generally Z-shaped stile members thereof and connected at the opposite end to the slide bars and establishing a substantially vertical line of lift between the slide bars and sashes for swinging the sashes laterally of the plane of the window frame when the slide bars are actuated.

2. A window assembly comprising, in combination: a window frame, a plurality of sashes arranged in superimposed relationship in the window frame and each provided with generally Z-shaped stile members with the web portion of each of such Z-shaped members extending normal to the plane of the sash, the side members of the window frame being shaped to define U-channels characterized by having opposed inner and outer parallel side walls extending normal to the plane of the window frame and such that the channel formations of the side members open out on one side of the frame, slide bars for the sashes one located in each of the channels of the side frame members in sliding abutment with said inner side walls thereof, right angularly shaped brackets disposed in the channels of said side frame members and forming guides for retaining the slide bars in bearing engagement with said inner side walls of the channelshaped side frame members, said brackets each having a portion thereof overlying said outer side walls of the channel in which it is disposed and having another portion extending between the side Walls and bearing against the slide bar, means hinging the sashes to the first mentioned portion of the brackets, the web portions of each of said generally Z-shaped stile members disposed in substantial alignment with the slide bars in the side frame members, and generally planar arms connected at one end to opposite sides of each sash at said normally extending web portion of the generally Z-shaped stile members thereof and connected at the opposite end to the slide bars and establishing a generally vertical line of lift between the sashes and slide bars and operable to swing the sashes laterally of the plane of the window frame upon slidable movement of the bars.

3. A window assembly comprising, in combination: a window frame, a plurality of sashes arranged in superimposed relationship in the window frame and each provided with generally Z-shaped stile members with the web of each of such Z-shaped members extending normal to the plane of the sash, the side members of the window frame being shaped in cross section to define U-channels each characterized by having opposed inner and outer parallel side Walls extending normal to the plane of the window frame and such that the channel formations of the frame side member open out on one side of the frame, a shallow subsidiary channel formed on the inside face of the inner side wall of each frame side member and opening toward the opposite outer side wall of the frame side member, a slide bar for operating the sashes seated in the subsidiary channel of each side frame member, means acting to retain and guide said bars for longitudinal slidable movement in their respective subsidiary channels of the side frame members, said means including a bracket disposed within the U-channel of each side frame member with one portion of the bracket overlying the outer side wall of each U-channel and another portion of the bracket extending toward the opposed inner side wall and shaped to provide a lip portion adapted to bear against a slide bar disposed in said subsidiary channel to hold the slide bar therein, a pair of fulcrum links for each sash connected to the sash at opposite sides thereof and connected to said bracket, the web portion of each of said generally Z-shaped stile members of the sashes disposed in substantial alignment with the slide bars in the side frame members of the Window frame, and means operatively coupling the bars to the sashes and including generally planar arms connected at one end to each of the web portions of the generally Z-shaped stile members of each sash at opposite sides thereof and connected at the other end to the slide bars and establishing a substantially vertical 'line of lift between the slide bars and the sashes and operable to swing the sashes laterally of the plane of the window frame upon sliding movement of the bars.

4. A window assembly comprising, in combination: a window frame, a plurality of sashes arranged in the frame in superimposed relationship and each provided with generally Z-shaped stile members each having a web portion extending normal to the plane of the sash, the side members of the window frame each being shaped to define a U-channel characterized by having opposed inner and outer parallel side walls and a bottom wall extending therebetween with the side Walls extending normal to the plane of the window frame and such that the channel formation opens out of the plane of the frame on one side thereof, slide bars for the sashes located each in one channel of the side frame members and slidably abutting the inner side walls theerof, the inner side wall of each U-channel exhibiting along its marginal edge a ridge extending toward the plane of the opposed inner side wall and cooperating with said inner side wall and the bottom wall of each channel of the side frame member to form an outwardly opening slide bar guide channel, retaining means disposed in the U-channel of each side frame member with a part spaced from the inner side wall of the U-channel and cooperating with said outwardly opening slide bar guide channel to guide for slidable movement a slide bar disposed in the channel in sliding abutment with the inner side wall of the side frame member, means hingi-ng the sashes to said retaining means, the web portion of each of said generally Z-shaped stile members of the sashes substantially aligned with said slide bar guide channels and the slide bars therein, and generally planar means connected at one end to said web portions of the stile members of the sashes and connected at the other end to the slide bars and establishing a vertical line of lift between the bars and sashes and responsive to the slid-. able movement of the bars to swing the sashes laterally of the plane of the window frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,758,849 Perron May 13, 1930 2,383,912 Gargiulo Aug. 28, 1945 2,478,044 Gargiulo Aug. 2, 1949 2,486,407 Hoflman Nov. 1, 1949 2,642,967 Somerstein June 23, 1953 

